'Old Man' Richard Harrison of 'Pawn Stars' fame has died

Richard Benjamin Harrison, better known as “the Old Man” to fans of Pawn Stars, died on Monday morning. He was 77.

Harrison’s death was confirmed by Rick Harrison’s Gold & Silver Pawn, the Las Vegas shop opened by Richard and his son Rick Harrison.

Richard “the Old Man” Harrison from History’s Pawn Stars arrives at the opening of the Boyz II Men residency at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in March 2013 in Las Vegas. (Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage)

“It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of Richard Benjamin Harrison (known as ‘The Old Man’ to Pawn Stars fans the world over) this morning,” the statement begins. “He was surrounded by loving family this past weekend and went peacefully. The team at Gold & Silver Pawn and the Pawn Stars family is grieving his loss. He will be remembered as the best father, grandfather and great-grandfather you could have by his family and by fans as the sometimes grumpy (always loving, however), often wisecracking, and voice of absolute reason on the History television show Pawn Stars. Services are pending and the family appreciates your prayers and kind words.”

Rick Harrison posted a tribute to his father on Instagram, revealing that the Old Man had lost “his long battle” with Parkinson’s disease.

The elder Harrison’s appearances on Pawn Stars had become less frequent in recent years. The Old Man opened his first pawnshop with his son in 1981, moving the family to Las Vegas after serving in the U.S. Navy.

As the business continued to grow, they moved into a new shop years later that would be known as the 24-hour World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, ultimately featured on Pawn Stars. The show has been a hit for A&E and the History Channel since its debut in 2009. The network has released a statement about Harrison’s passing.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Richard ‘The Old Man’ Harrison, a beloved member of the HISTORY and @pawnstars family. He will be greatly missed for his wisdom and candor. Our thoughts are with the Harrison family during this difficult time pic.twitter.com/2lPb3jUazf